Neighborhoods in Paris

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Paris

Paris is a dense patchwork of 20 distinct neighborhoods, or arrondissements, all within the périphérique (ring road). Each arrondissement has its own identity and dedicated postcode (75001 for the 1st arrondissement, 75002 for the 2nd, and so on), to make it easier to discover at a glance where the hotel, attraction or other address you’re looking for is located. Hop aboard for our whistle-stop tour of all 20...

1st Arrondissement

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Right in the heart of the action, the premier is home to a number of Paris’s big-ticket attractions, chief among these being the Louvre. Stroll through the delightful Jardin des Tuileries with its tree-lined avenues, riverside views and graceful Rodin statues, and drop by the Musée de l’Orangerie in its southwest corner to admire the fine collection of Impressionist art, including several of Monet’s famous Water Lilies murals.

2nd Arrondissement

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Treasure hunters rejoice! Here’s where you’ll find many of Paris’s historic covered passages, including Passages des Panoramas, the city’s oldest. Shop under beautiful glass canopies in these atmospheric 19th-century arcades, where you’ll discover all manner of antiques tucked away behind old-fashioned wooden storefronts, plus chic boutiques, cute cafés, well-stocked wine cellars and more. The sticky signature rum babas at Stohrer, Paris’s oldest pâtisserie, on the nearby Rue Montorgueil are also not to be missed.

3rd Arrondissement

The Haut Marais district’s quaint cobbled streets are lined with independent boutiques and several top museums, including the Musée des Arts et Métiers and stunning Musée Picasso, where you can view over 700 paintings and surreal sculptures by the Cubist master, including his Self-Portrait and La Celestina. Pause at the gift shop before strolling to the Marché des Enfants Rouges for some of the best street food in town.

4th Arrondissement

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Overlooking Notre-Dame Cathedral from the Seine’s Right Bank, the Marais neighborhood’s maze of narrow streets is nothing short of enchanting. Take a picnic to the formal gardens in Place des Vosges and people-watch from beneath the linden trees, then wander the arcades that line this charming 16th-century square. Don’t miss the extraordinary modern art collection in the Centre Pompidou, or the equally exceptional ice cream at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis, a tiny island in the middle of the Seine.

5th Arrondissement

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Within the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank, you’ll find a dazzling array of late-night bars and restaurants, sultry jazz clubs and Art Deco cinemas. Pay your respects to Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and the dozens of other French luminaries who are interred or commemorated in the magnificent Panthéon, buy a book at the semi-legendary English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company, and meet cute red pandas at the Ménagerie in the verdant Jardin des Plantes

6th Arrondissement

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Walk in the footsteps of the hundreds of artists and intellectuals who have called boho Saint-Germain-des-Prés home across the years, including Sartre, Picasso, Camus and Brecht. The 6th is also home to one of Paris’s finest parks: the Jardin du Luxembourg. Rent antique toy boats and sail them on the lake in front of the Palais de Luxembourg, smell the roses in the exquisite Italianate gardens or simply pull up a chair and watch the locals compete at the ancient game of pétanque.

7th Arrondissement

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Tick off some of the city’s biggest hitters in the 7th, where you can – deep breath – climb the Eiffel Tower (or picnic beneath it on the lawns of the Champ de Mars), view the biggest collection of Impressionist art on the planet at the Musée d’Orsay, stroll the Musée Rodin’s perfectly sculpted gardens and admire hundreds of years of indigineous art behind the foliage-covered facade of the Musée du Quai Branly.

8th Arrondissement

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Just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower is a luxury shopper’s paradise. The Champs Élysees is home to the largest Louis Vuitton store in the world, plus branches of Cartier, Chanel, Dior and more. Treat yourself to a colorful box of macarons from pastry master Pierre Hermé or the opulent Ladurée store, then use the subsequent sugar rush to power you up the 284 steps to the Arc de Triomphe’s viewing platform.

9th Arrondissement

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Noted for its beautiful Haussmannian architecture, the lively 9th arrondissement continues the shopping theme with Galeries Lafayette – worth a visit for its incredible stained-glass cupola and terrace views alone. Check out Musée Grévin, a 150-year-old wax museum inside the historic Passage Jouffroy arcade and take in a show at the flamboyant Opéra Garnier, an absolute must-visit for Phantom of the Opera fans.

10th Arrondissement

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Stroll the scenic Canal Saint-Martin, with its picturesque Venetian bridges, tree-lined cobblestone walkways, shaded quays and colorful street art. The 10th is also home to the busy Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Ést train stations, gateways to the likes of Parc Astérix and the Palace of Versailles.

11th Arrondissement

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Place de la Bastille and its weekly markets make the largely residential 11th arrondissement worthy of your time. Head for the arts and crafts market on Saturdays, and visit the Marché Bastille on Thursdays and Sundays, where local producers showcase the finest foods the region has to offer.

12th Arrondissement

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Also mostly residential, the 12th is notable primarily for the magnificent Opéra Bastille, as well as its proximity to the expansive Bois de Vincennes. Paris’s biggest public park, it boasts a chateau, a boating lake, a forest, an arboretum and a zoo among other things.

13th Arrondissement

Street art fans will find much to enjoy in the residential 13th arrondissement. Here, local artists use huge concrete high rises as their canvas, resulting in some spectacular and often huuuuge murals.

14th Arrondissement

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Twenty meters beneath the streets of the 14th, you can visit one of the city’s most macabre attractions. The Paris Catacombs contains a labyrinth of tunnels, with a bone-chilling ossuary that contains the mortal remains of some six million Parisians. A must-see, but most definitely not for the faint of heart.

15th Arrondissement

At the westernmost point of the Left Bank, the 15th offers some of the Paris’s finest views. Board the Ballon de Paris Generali in Parc André Citroën to rise 150 meters above the city, or whiz up to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for uninterrupted views of its far more beautiful counterpart, the Eiffel Tower.

16th Arrondissement

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There are enough specialty museums here to while away a day or more, the Palais de Tokyo with its excellent avant-garde art collection and the anthropological Musée de l'Homme to name but two. The 16th also adjoins the massive Bois de Boulogne park, where you can go boating, stroll through the woods to the Parc de Bagatelle botanical garden, explore the grotto and much more.

17th Arrondissement

Many consider this residential area to be the real Paris. Head to its charming Batignolles neighborhood for quirky bistros, boutiques and street markets, and pause to feed the ducks and play pétanque with the locals in leafy Batignolles Square.

18th Arrondissement

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Take the funicular up to the Sacré Cœur Basilica atop Montmartre and soak up the atmosphere in cobbled streets and squares that have inspired artists from Modigliani to Picasso. It’s here you’ll find the Moulin Rouge cabaret with its iconic neon-red windmill, and the Place du Tertre, where local portrait painters ply their trade. Get yours done, then grab an ice cream and take in one of the city’s best views from the basilica steps.

19th Arrondissement

Green space abounds out in the 19th, where hilly Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offers some of Paris’s best views, as well as an Eiffel-designed suspension bridge, secret grotto and artificial waterfall. Nearby Parc de la Villette is a cultural mecca, home to the biggest science museum in Europe, an IMAX cinema, plus several music venues and theaters. Visit in summer for its open-air cinema and the temporary artificial beach at nearby Bassin de la Villette.

20th Arrondissement

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Last but by no means least, the 20th arrondissement boasts cool street art, independent boutiques and the second-biggest Chinatown in Paris. It’s also here that you’ll find the vast Père Lachaise Cemetery. You could spend many hours wandering the cemetery’s wide avenues and visiting the ornate tombs and monuments where great artistic figures including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Sarah Bernhardt, Chopin and Édith Piaf are interred.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Moulin Rouge
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The Greatest Indoor Activities in Paris

Even the sexiest of cities can occasionally have their allure dampened by a downpour, and Paris is no exception. Fortunately, France’s capital is awash with amazing things to see and do indoors – and beneath the streets – when the weather messes with your plans. From cabaret to the catacombs, church tours to cheese and wine tastings, there are more interesting indoor activities in Paris than you might expect. You’ll find a selection of our favorites below. Galleries and Museums Centre Pompidou This cultural mecca’s ‘inside-out’ architecture – all exposed air ducts and pipework in bold primary colors – make it something of a work of art in itself. Visitors can admire the view from a glass-covered external escalator that ascends all six stories. Inside is no less awe-inspiring: the Centre Pompidou houses a cavernous public library, a center for music and acoustic research and, most notably, the National Museum of Modern Art, a collection rivaled in scope, variety and quality only by MoMA in New York. Step inside to admire world-famous works from – deep breath – Picasso, Pollock, Matisse, Magritte, Bacon, de Kooning, Warhol, Sherman and many, many more. Musée du Quai Branly Paris does an impressive line in quirky building exteriors, and the Musée du Quai Branly, set on the Seine’s banks in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, is no exception. Its green wall of vegetation, designed by celebrated botanist Patrick Blanc, covers much of the building’s facade as well as some of the interior. There’s enough foliage to fill a dozen Instagram feeds and that’s before you even get to the astonishing collection of indigenous art and cultural artifacts from around the world, including a monumental medieval Moai head from Easter Island and a brightly decorated Volkswagen from Mexico. Rodin Museum Gallic legend Auguste Rodin is that rarest of creatures: a sculptor who became a household name. Visit the former hotel where he lived out his last years and which now homes many of his finest pieces as well as showcasing some of his own personal collection of artworks by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and more. A number of busts as well as career highlights including The Kiss are exhibited inside the Rodin Museum while out in the delightful jardin is where you’ll find his Monument to Balzac and The Thinker brooding among the perfectly sculpted trees and hedges. Going Underground The Paris Catacombs Did you know there’s a secret city deep beneath the streets of Paris that runs to over 130 kilometers of tunnels, passageways, sewers and secret chambers? Not for the faint of heart, the labyrinthine ossuary that comprises the Paris Catacombs lies 20 meters underground and contains the mortal remains of over six million Parisians, relocated here from overflowing Paris cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Brave the 1.5km circuit through this maze of tunnels for a truly bone-chilling experience. Musée du Vin Grape aficionados will find much to enjoy in the vaulted cellars of the Musée du Vin, not least the part at the end where you’ll get a chance to sample a glass of the good stuff from the museum’s own vineyard. Before that, you’ll learn the history of wine- and Champagne-making in the atmospheric surroundings of these underground limestone caverns, originally used by Order of Minim friars in the 15th Century. Retail Therapy Covered Passages There are 20 or so covered passages to explore in and around Paris’s Grands Boulevards. Designed to attract the city’s more discerning shoppers, these elegant Parisian arcades are masterclasses in 19th-century architecture and engineering. Their many decorative features include glass-and-iron canopies and soaring domes, intricate tiled floors and old-fashioned wooden storefronts. Inside, you’ll discover chic boutiques aplenty, alongside antique emporia, cute cafés and bustling brasseries. Passage du Jouffroy is one of the city’s most popular arcades, with its gleaming geometric tiling, ornate stucco clock and delightful 19th-century Librairie du Passage bookstore, where new and antiquarian books pile up precipitously in corners and defy gravity on the overstacked shelves. There’s even a tiny wax museum, which has been operating here for nearly 150 years. At 190 meters, Passage Choiseul is the longest of Paris’s covered passages. Grab a pain au chocolat and stroll past watchmakers’ windows, jewelry stores and much more along its narrow length. Galeries Lafayette Galeries Lafayette Haussmann elevates your shopping trip from mere retail to a near-religious experience. Marvel at the ornate galleries and cathedral-like five-story atrium that’s topped with a remarkable steel-and-class cupola. Designed by glass artist Jacques Grüber in the early 20th Century, this soaring 43-meter-high masterpiece is the building’s pièce de résistance, flowering out magnificently from the rooftop. There’s a terrace up here, too, from where widescreen views of the city skyline – including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sacré Cœur – reward those with a head for heights. Tours are available. Inside this chic Paris mega-mall, there are 65,000 square meters of big-name boutiques to explore, with luxury brands from Armani to Zadig & Voltaire, plus a Decléor spa, hair salons, Chanel treatment booths and 20+ cafés and restaurants. If that’s not enough to keep you entertained all day long, Galeries Lafayette also offers a range of none-more-Parisian bolt-on experiences including a catwalk fashion show and a macaron-making class, where you’ll learn to make the delicate French fancies, before tucking into your creations. Booking is essential. That’s Entertainment Life is a cabaret, old chum, and nowhere more so than in Paris. No visit here would be complete without experiencing at least one of the dazzling array of cabaret and risqué burlesque shows on offer. Naturellement, the Moulin Rouge with its iconic red windmill is the best-known (and arguably the best), but there are dozens more to choose from, running the gamut from old-fashioned crooners, can-cans and audience sing-alongs to high-octane acrobatics and modern dance. Whichever show you opt for, expect lavish costumes, bags of energy and a healthy dollop of high camp. Cinephiles are also spoilt for choice in Paris, where the majority of cinemas screen movies in their original language with French subtitles, meaning language needn’t be a barrier to catching a classic or enjoying the latest blockbuster. Settle in at atmospheric old picture houses including the Louxor, a stunning century-old mash-up of Egyptian and Art Deco design, and the Grand Rex, home to one of the biggest screens in Europe. Pro-tip: the French word for ‘popcorn’ is ‘popcorn’ so you can even leave the phrasebook at home! Save on indoor activities in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The Eiffel Tower from across the River Seine
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Should you visit Paris in August?

A few short years ago August would have been seen as a terrible time to visit Paris. And whilst some still stick to this old cliché, many others, us included, now see August as one of the best times of year to visit the French capital. Why the about face? It’s simple really. Although hotels might ratchet up their prices, Paris in August enjoys great weather and a plethora of events sure to have you returning year after year. Relive Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte The River Seine rightly takes the limelight when it comes to the best loved things to do in Paris in August. And let’s face it, why wouldn’t it? What could be better than enjoying a drink or late-night DJ set from aboard one of the peniche boat bars moored along its banks? Or opting for a river cruise passing by the city’s most famous sights on a warm mid-summer evening? Or even the chance to flop into a deckchair, as if you’re in the south of France rather than the center of the capital? The latter is possible thanks to the Paris Plages program of beaches and pools which crop up along the right bank of the Seine in July and August each year. If you prefer your seas a little warmer, head instead to the Aquarium de Paris. Suitable for adults as much as younger visitors, its tanks contain everything from jellyfish to sea turtles and no less than four species of shark. Delve into the capital’s history One of the most important occasions in Parisian history is marked on August 25 – at the Liberation of Paris Festival. It commemorates the surrender of Nazi forces in August 1944 to a mix of Free French, British and American troops. The festival kicks off at midday with firemen replicating the climb up the Eiffel Tower to unfurl the French tricolore. This is followed by a parade and then music at the Hôtel de Ville. The Order of the Liberation Museum is open daily for anyone interested in the full story. To pay your respects to the great and the good of French history, consider instead the Latin Quarter’s Panthéon. Built by King Louis XV to house the relics of the city’s patron saint, after the French Revolution it was converted into a national mausoleum. Among the 80 burials and memorials are those to philosopher Voltaire, writer Victor Hugo and Nobel prize winning scientist Marie Curie, one of just a handful of women honored. On the western edge of the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg stands one of several replicas of the Statue of Liberty in Paris. It’s one of around one hundred statues dotted about the garden, at 1/16th the scale of the New York original. Paris in August with the kids Younger visitors to Paris may not appreciate the significance of events such as the Liberation of Paris Festival. But they certainly won’t get bored with the number of child-friendly things to do in Paris in August. With the added bonus of soothing tired legs, an open-top Hop-on Hop-off bus is a great way to connect up sights from the storefronts of the Champs-Élysées to the gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which has survived revolution and fire during its 800 year history. Thrill seekers should instead turn their attention to Parc Astérix. The second-largest theme park anywhere in France, it boasts over 40 attractions, including seven rollercoasters and a further seven water rides. All are based on the comic book series following the lives of ancient Gaul’s tribes. Meanwhile, the Place de la Concorde is occupied from July until the end of August with the Fête des Tuileries. An authentic traditional funfair, attractions here include a tin can alley, hook-a-duck, carousels and stalls selling candy-floss and freshly-made donuts. Make the most of the summer weather Yet another reason to stay in Paris in August is the giant screen belonging to the open-air movie theater which stands amongst the trees of Parc de la Villette in northern Paris. Bring a picnic, rent a deckchair and a blanket, and enjoy evening screenings of everything from French indie cinema to cult classics. Movies are shown in their original language with French subtitles as necessary. Few subtitles are needed for the Rock en Seine festival, which literally rocks the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud park at the historic gates of Paris over three days in August. Creating a memorable contrast with their 17th-Century surroundings, the five stages host internationally-renowned bands such as Royal Blood and Eels alongside homegrown up-and-coming talent. Summer in Paris doesn’t come to an end until the arrival of the Tréteaux nomades traveling festival at Montmartre arena. Almost impossible to pigeon-hole, the festival uses French characters you’ll know and love from classic works – for example Quasimodo and Cinderella – in totally new and sometimes subversive ways. Enjoy first class art It’s difficult to visit Paris in any month of the year without a stop at the Louvre, dominating the right bank of the Seine. With enough artworks to keep you busy for an entire lifetime, highlights include the da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Almost immediately opposite on the rive gauche (left bank) stands the beaux arts edifice of the Musée d’Orsay. Built as a railway station in 1898, it has been a gallery dedicated to French art since a major renovation in 1986. Monet, Degas and Gauguin are all well represented. Fans of modern art need look no further than the Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Pompidou Center – Europe’s biggest modern art museum. A who’s who of the 20th-Century art world, its walls hang with greats including Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Willem de Kooning. Save on attraction admission in Paris in August One of the sunniest months of the year in the French capital, Paris in August is not to be avoided as some would have you believe. Alive with summertime activities and outdoor events, it is in fact a great time to visit Paris. Make the most of your trip by saving on admission to many of the top attractions with Go City. The All-Inclusive Pass allows you to see as many attractions as you like within a given period at reduced cost. The Explorer Pass gives you 60 days in which to marvel at up to seven different attractions.
Ian Packham
Versailles Paris
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Best time to visit Paris

Paris has a wealth of world-renowned attractions to entice you at any time of the year. From iconic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe to romantic architecture and amazing food and shopping. But some months are better than others depending on your particular interests. The city can fall victim to its fair share of rainfall and some months can be cold and grey. But don’t let this put you off. We’ve pulled together the perfect guide to help you enjoy the city whenever you want to visit. Simply select your ideal month and enjoy.... Our month-by-month guide to the perfect Parisian break January – fireworks and café crème to sensational shopping February – Valentine’s Day romance and Paris Fashion Week pizzazz March – colorful carnivals and magical museums April – hitting the markets of Montmartre and Notre Dame May – jazz pizzazz and perfect parks June – sublime summer rides and the Palace of Versailles July – jump in the pool August – café culture and the Belle Epoque September – chic shopping and directional design October – gastronomic delights November – time for fine wines December – the City of Light in lights at its brightest January Winter in Paris is certainly a cold one, with temperatures averaging around seven degrees, and some days hitting below zero. But there’s a lot on offer to melt the chill from the get-go, starting as soon as the clock strikes 12 on January 1. The dazzling New Year’s Eve fireworks display on the Champs-Élysées will fire you up with its electrifying colors as you witness the monumental Arc du Triomphe glow gold against a rainbow night sky. The city’s decorative ancient streets are equally entrancing if you’re lucky enough to catch them on a glitteringly frosty winter’s day. Don’t forget to pop inside one of the amazing boutiques in this world-class shopping city to grab yourself a bargain in the winter sales. Once you’re weighed down with shopping bags, escape into the warmth of a cozy café and grab a delightful café crème and French pastry to soothe your winter soul. Average temperature: 4 degrees Average rainfall: 14 days Average sunshine hours: 1 hour February If you fancy a romantic or decadent escape in February in time for Valentine’s Day, then Paris offers an intoxicating mix of tempting attractions. Why not drift down the city’s World Heritage listed River Seine on a relaxing cruise, giving you the perfect opportunity to take in the city’s most beautiful sights in peace. Experience panoramic views of key landmarks like the Notre Dame from a new perspective and stop off at sights that capture your interest most. Then make a beeline for a spot of indulgence at Paris’s Gourmet Chocolate Museum, a definite must-see for every chocoholic. Sample cocoa delights while being told about the history of chocolate making to see how the dreamy treat is made. Fashion lovers will also rejoice at this time of year thanks to Paris Fashion Week, which hits the Parisian catwalks for its fall-winter shows, giving you the perfect excuse to waltz the stunning streets like you’re a runway model yourself. Head to the city’s iconic luxury fashion houses centered around Rue Cambon and Rue Royale to deck yourself out in style. Getting in: show your Go Paris pass to gain free entry into the Gourmet Chocolate Museum. Average temperature: 6 degrees Average rainfall: 13 days Average sunshine hours: 2 hours March The city still tends to have a chill in the air in March, and a mix of clouds and rain can spell trouble, but don’t let this dampen your spirits. The kaleidoscopic Carnaval des Femmes or ‘Washerwoman’s Festival’ is a vibrant visual treat that will undoubtedly brighten your day. Expect 4,000 fancy-dress enthusiasts descending on the city streets in colorful clothes, with music and dancing thrown in. But if full-on carnival drama isn’t your thing, then you can also escape the dreary weather by heading to one of the city’s many magical museums. Why not head to the epic Musee de Louvre with its amazing collection of over 35,000 pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa, or the magnificent Palais Garnier Opera House, a truly opulent Beaux-Arts building featuring a spell-binding seven-tonne crystal chandelier. A trip to the Dalí' Museum will also fill you with wonder thanks to its picture-perfect exhibits of his surrealist masterpieces. Average temperature: 9 degrees Average rainfall: 14 days Average sunshine hours: 2 hours April Spring is finally in the air by April, making it the ideal time to get out and about in the city’s most captivating neighborhoods. Montmartre is a great one to explore, with its charming village-like atmosphere. This serene but bustling place was the hub of creativity during the city’s Belle Époque in the 18th Century when world-renowned artists like Monet and Picasso flocked to the neighborhood to live the beautiful life. Today this beauty can be witnessed in the district’s cute cobblestone streets filled with colorful buildings, chic dining venues and tempting food options. Taking a guided walking tour of the district is the ideal way to experience all of its splendor. The Go Paris pass entitles you to a great one where you can see the striking sights while sampling fine cheeses and wines from local food artisans along the way – the perfect way to welcome in springtime. Average temperature: 11 degrees Average rainfall: 14 days Average sunshine hours: 5 hours May The average hours of sunshine in Paris start to ramp up in May, so embrace the outdoors with a walk around some of its most impressive parks, which should be in full bloom with spring flowers at this time. Jardins des Tuileries, between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, is a green and grand choice thanks to its tree-lined avenues lined with classical statues and sensational views of the museum, while Jardin de Plantes near the River Seine erupts into a sea of color saturation thanks to its exotic botanical garden and the presence of pink flamingos. Add to the bright and breezy springtime vibe by sampling an outdoor jazz session as part of the annual Jazz Festival of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Average temperature: 15 degrees Average rainfall: 12 days Average sunshine hours: 6 hours June Summer officially starts in June, with brighter skies and much less rainfall. This calls for a road trip around the city’s top sights, and what better way to do this than in a quintessentially French Citroen 2CV. A Go Paris pass includes a super fun trip around Montmartre in these cars, giving you the chance to see one of the chicest parts of the city while gaining vintage style points in the process. June is also a great time to branch out a bit to sample some of the city’s stunning surroundings. A trip to the breathtaking Palace of Versailles on the city’s outskirts will undoubtedly leave you in awe as you stroll around intricately landscaped gardens while marveling at the stately architecture of this world-famous royal pleasure ground. Average temperature: 16 degrees Average rainfall: 11 days Average sunshine hours: 6 hours July July is one of the hottest months of the year in Paris, so why not head to an outdoor pool if the heat is on, where you can sunbathe and swim as if you were lounging on a beach in the French Riviera. While local Parisians flock to the busy coastlines of the country at this time, the city’s outdoor places and pools feel pleasantly calm and peaceful in their absence, leaving you free to relax in the sun without any distraction. Simply choose your pool and jump in. We recommend giving the Joséphine Baker Pool a whirl for its waterside River Seine views, or the Centre Aquatique de Neuilly-sur-Seine for its amazing facilities, which feature three pools, a spa, saunas, sunbathing areas and an obligatory poolside bar. Who needs Nice? Average temperature: 20 degrees Average rainfall: 11 days Average sunshine hours: 8 hours August August temperatures can be blissfully balmy, so it really is the perfect month to take in as many amazing city sights as you can. First, create your own ultimate Paris bucket list depending on what interests you. Want to snap classic photos at world-famous landmarks? Then head straight to the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. Art enthusiast? Then don’t miss the striking Musée D'Orsay, a 19th-century mansion filled with palatial antiques and priceless artworks from the likes of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Or perhaps you want to chill with a picnic in picturesque surroundings? Then the gardens of the Trocadéro should suffice with their spectacular views of the Champs de Mars and Eiffel Tower. If you want to do it all while the sun is beating down, then a Go Paris hop-on, hop-off bus pass is your choice ticket. Average temperature: 20 degrees Average rainfall: 10 days Average sunshine hours: 8 hours September Make the most of the last days of summer in September by perusing Paris at a relaxed pace. Spend your days sipping coffee and delighting in the pleasures of French pastries and macarons at the many gorgeous open-terrace cafés that dot the city, or seek out tranquil hidden slices of Paris with a unique walking tour. A Paris attraction pass offers several, but one of the most intriguing is the walking tour through the city’s covered passages, where you can discover eye-catching boutiques in gloriously designed arcades. Think patterned tiled floors, gracefully decorative storefronts and quirky architectural features everywhere you look. Another great option is the Bohemian walking tour that meanders through the ultra-hip districts of Saint-Germain and Saint-Michel, where the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Jim Morrison used to hang. Average temperature: 16 degrees Average rainfall: 11 days Average sunshine hours: 8 hours October Autumn days see darker evenings and dropping temperatures, so give the city’s endless gastronomic treats a try by spending lazy days hopping from farmer’s markets to luxe restaurants in the city’s world-leading dining scene. France dominates when it comes to Michelin-starred dining, having more restaurants of this type than any other country in the world, and Paris is home to a quarter of this, so if you want to splurge and dine like royalty, then this is the place to do it. But good food options are everywhere you look, so no need to splash the cash if you don’t want to. Try out a delicious range of delicacies at the market stalls opposite Notre Dame Cathedral for example, or find subdued eateries serving avant-garde dishes in the Latin Quarter or Saint-Germain. You’ll be totally spoilt for choice. Average temperature: 12 degrees Average rainfall: 13 days Average sunshine Hours: 5 hours November You simply can’t visit Paris without sampling some of the city’s fine wines. During the Beaujolais Noveau Day on the third Thursday of November, you can do just this at a brilliant festival that celebrates France’s annual grape harvest with music, fireworks and endless bouts of wine tasting. If you miss the day, then why not book yourself up for a cozy wine and cheese tasting session, where you can try the best cheeses and wines that France has to offer. Our passes include a tempting one at the Ô Château Wine Bar, where you can sample over 50 different wines by the glass while trying creamy French cheeses and charcuteries. Get me there: this fabulous tasting session can be booked as part of your Go City Paris All-Inclusive or Explorer pass. Average temperature: 7 degrees Average rainfall: 15 days Average sunshine hours: 2 hours December The final month of the year is a cold one, with average temperatures around 5 degrees. But don’t let this put you off your trip. The City of Lights perhaps shines at its brightest during this festive time of year, when the city streets are dripping in psychedelic Christmas decorations. Get into the festive spirit by ice skating with a spectacular view at one of the dedicated ice rinks, set up in front of many key Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais. Then head to one of the many atmospheric Christmas markets on offer across the city to indulge in the best festive fare, from mulled wine to roasted chestnuts and more. Happy holidays! Average temperature: 5 degrees Average rainfall: 15 days Average sunshine hours: 2 hours Save on admission to top Paris attractions Explore a wealth of amazing things to do when you're in Paris with the Go Paris pass. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to must-see museums, exciting river cruises, fun tours, and much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag us at @GoCity on your travel photos to keep us up to date with your vacation!
Lee Dales

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